In  briefs to the Supreme Court, which some are claiming are veiled  threats, the Administration of President Barack Obama is warning the  Justices that if the Court fails to uphold the Affordable Care Act it  could disrupt Medicare payments.

The  Supremes in an unusual move devoted 3 days in March to hear arguments,  pro and con, to the signature legislation of the President. A ruling is  expected in late June or early July within months of the fall  presidential election.

Medicare's  payment system, the unseen but vital network that handles 100 million  monthly claims, could freeze up if President Barack Obama's health care  law is summarily overturned, the administration has quietly informed the  courts.

Although Obama's overhaul made significant cuts to  providers and improved prescription and preventive benefits, Medicare  was overlooked in Supreme Court arguments that focused on the law's  controversial requirement that individuals carry health insurance.

Yet  havoc for Medicare could have repercussions as both parties avidly  court seniors in this election year and as hospitals and doctors  increasingly complain the program doesn't pay enough.

In papers  filed with the Supreme Court, administration lawyers have warned of  "extraordinary disruption" if Medicare is forced to unwind countless  transactions that are based on payment changes required by more than 20  separate sections of the Affordable Care Act.

Opponents say the  whole law must go. The administration counters that even if it strikes  down the insurance mandate, the court should preserve most of the rest  of the legislation. That would leave in place its changes to Medicare as  well as a major expansion of Medicaid coverage.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120507/LIFESTYLE03/205070304/1020/rss09

The  ACA has been a major issue during the Republican primary season and one  that has already made its way into the contest between the President in  his bid for a 2nd term. His challenger presumptive Republican nominee  Mitt Romney has stated that the one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare  on the national level is wrong and should be left up to each individual  state.

From the Cornfield, as a Medicare subscriber if indeed this is true, this is quite troubling.